Ratings for Job Security

By Cheryl Faust MFS, MM

We have been through a difficult and unnerving time these last few months. Not only do you have to worry about your health and the health of others, but whether or not you will be unemployed.

As self-employed coaches, it can be scary to think with a blink of an eye your finances can drastically take a turn for the worse. Like anything else, preparedness is key. Aside from having an emergency fund, the best thing you can do is be your best! By educating yourself, you are doing everything possible to make yourself relevant in the workforce and ensuring longevity for you as well as your athletes.

On a personal note... as I was going through my ratings exam process I broke my hip playing hockey. Yes, of course I played the rest of the game and no, I did not take time off work. Teaching from the sidelines with a plugged in heating pad, I was still able to communicate to my athletes and didn’t have to miss any lessons.

The same thing happened when I sprained my ankle which had to be casted, adrenal gland surgery, walking pneumonia three years in a row, and then there was last year when I had the much needed impending ankle surgery. I choreographed seven IJS programs from a knee scooter (and quite frankly I think they were better than the ones I did this year). So over the course of 26 years I have missed very little work as a result of going through my rating exams, which enabled me to communicate with my athletes despite being unable to skate.

The process of going through your ratings not only educates you but is giving you as much job security as possible.

Many rinks and skate directors are now requiring PSA ratings to ensure their program boasts the best professionals. It also makes you marketable to rinks all over the country should you move or need a change of scenery.

PSA is here is give you that education! Continuing with our series of questions from oral rating exams, here are two questions directly from the exams to help you on your studying journey:

Senior Group Exam Sample Question

Regarding class management and safety, how can the ice usage provided be maximized to increase productivity?

POTENTIAL ANSWERS:

Introductory—minimal ice is needed at this phase. Details of technique, body positions, timing etc are the main focus. Developmental—Creating certain traffic patterns are the key to this phase. Mastery—once learned, the elements can be mastered using the traffic patterns in a more progressive/ aggressive manner. This should be done taking turns to learn from their peers.

Registered, Certified, Senior and Master Synchronized Skating Sample Question

How do you go about choreographing your program for the season? Do you choreograph or do you hire a choreographer? Based on the answer please explain your methodology/steps for completing choreography.

POTENTIAL ANSWERS:

• Music then match movement versus

• Movement then match music

• In advance with drawings/ graphs with counts

• On the spot based on natural flow of the team allowing for creativity.

• Choreograph certain highlights in the music

• Add music cues once choreographed

• Beginning then end

• End then beginning

• Specific time allotted for each element

• Place skaters by height

• Place skaters by skill

• Detached learning versus connect athletes right away

• Pick the order of elements and ice coverage.

We hope you are able to use these questions to further your studies. Please download and utilize the ratings study guides on the website for free, as well as take advantage of PSA TV for more teaching tips to help make you the best coach you can be!

As always feel free to contact me at anytime!